Thursday, March 31, 2011

Durham regional police say a coyote snatched a small dog from someone's front lawn in Whitby, just east of Toronto. Police say the dog was on his front steps Wednesday night when the coyote came from the side of the home and carried away the pet. Ruth Reid, the dog's owner, told CBC News she found Lily's body a short time later. "I'm shocked at how much an animal can impact your life," she said as she fought back tears. "I just don't want anybody else to go through this. If we had know there were coyotes in the area she wouldn't have been out there by herself. She would have been in the backyard." Neighbour Kate Brady says she isn't taking any chances. From now on she'll only let her dog out in the fenced backyard. Three weeks ago, says Brady, another dog was killed by a coyote. '[My neighbour] had a miniature dachshund apparently mangled. She managed to get him away from the coyote but he unfortunately didn't make it," said Brady. Police say people should take measures to protect themselves and their pets.